Gerald Leopold Strug

Gerald “Jerry” Strug was born on April 26, 1928, in Bogalusa, Louisiana. He died on May 24 peacefully surrounded by family. His parents, Ida Vihon Strug and Morris Strug were immigrants from the Ukraine. He had two older, loving sisters who doted on him, Ethel Strug Berg and Florence Strug Kerner.

Jerry graduated with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree from Georgia Tech. After that, he served in the US Army Corps of Engineers from 1950-1952. He was stationed in the Philippines and was attached to the 29th Engineering Battalion. Jerry wore his Korean War Vet cap to almost his last day on earth.

He met the love of his life, Yvonne Yuspeh in New Orleans and after only four dates they decided to marry. Yvonne was 20 years old and determined to finish college, so they moved into Newcomb College’s Married Students Dorm. At 26, Jerry attended sorority formals just like any other college student.

Jerry worked for several engineers before landing a job with J. Ray McDermott, where he was employed for nine years. He resigned to form Gerald Builders, a home building company. Yvonne became his trusted partner, interior designer and sales assistant. Jerry was honored to be the supervisor on the construction of the first Habitat for Humanity home built in NOLA. He served as presidents of the Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans and of the Louisiana Home Builders Association. He also served on the board of Temple Sinai in New Orleans.

After losing their home in Hurricane Katrina, Jerry and Yvonne moved to Dallas to be closer to their daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Mike Kottwitz. Yvonne passed away just 3 months after moving to Dallas after a long battle with breast cancer. The silver lining to Katrina is that Jerry got to spend much time with the apple of his eye, granddaughter Kimberly Rachel Kottwitz.

Jerry picked up the pieces and bonded with other NOLA evacuees. He was the social coordinator for the NOMADS (New Orleans Men At Dining), also known as the ROMEOS (Really OLD MEN EATING OUT.) Here, the Dallas evacuees solved many world problems. He was fortunate to enjoy almost 15 years with longtime friend and loving companion, Phyllis Scharff Stern.

He is predeceased by his loving wife of over 51 years, Yvonne Yuspeh Strug, who he never stopped missing, sisters Ethel and Flossie, nephew Ralph Kerner, best friend Bernard Goldman and partner Phyllis Scharff Stern.

The family is grateful to Jerry’s loving caretakers, Kafayat Fadipe, Mezan Galata and Slyde Nangamba. In lieu of flowers, donations would be welcomed to Susan G. Komen or Temple Sinai New Orleans. Funeral is May 28 at 11am at Hebrew Rest.